How To Clean Your Windows Like A Professional Window Cleaner
Most professional window cleaners have their own “secret” methods for getting windows sparkling clean. I won’t get thanked by some window cleaners out there for revealing some of their trade secrets, but I thought it would be useful to show you some quick & easy tips on how to clean the windows in your home or office like the professionals do.
A bucket of cold water and a bit of detergent can go a long way towards getting a smudge-free finish when cleaning windows. In fact, what you find with most professional window cleaners is that they don’t polish windows for hours on end as this just ends up leaving streaks which are difficult to remove. Below are some simple ways of ensuring your windows are clean, smudge free and sparkling.
No Need for Harsh, Chemical Detergents
There really is no need to use a chemical based detergent, no matter what promises might be made on the product packaging. Professional window cleaners don’t use harsh chemicals. Not only can they be potentially harmful to the user and the environment, they aren’t particularly effective. In fact most chemical window cleaning products end up leaving visible residues which are almost impossible to remove.
Use Cheap Washing Liquid
All you need to achieve brilliantly clean windows is a bit of washing up liquid and warm water. There’s no need to buy expensive washing up liquid as the cheap stuff will do the job just as well as long as you use just a little bit.
Get Yourself the Right Tools
You don’t need many tools to clean windows, but you must use the right ones if you want to get good results. Here’s the tools you’re going to need to get great looking windows.
Take the Pain Out of Window Cleaning
Finally, you can look past winter’s grunge and see the plants poking through in the garden. That is, if you learn how to clean the windows without leaving unsightly streaks and smudges behind. Here are some tips on window cleaning from the experts at Consumer Reports who contributed to our “How to Clean Practically Everything.”
Your supplies. You’ll need two buckets; a sponge; a good-quality rubber squeegee; a clean, lint-free cloth; a chamois cloth; and a commercial cleaning solution or your own. Take down your curtains—it’s a good time to clean them—or loop them over a hanger, out of the way. Clean windows from the top down. Use a slightly damp sponge to apply the window cleaning solution. Wipe across the window with a dampened squeegee blade, then wipe the blade. Follow with a rinse of clean water applied with chamois. Polish off any remaining moisture with the dry cloth.
Start with the window frames. Clean very dirty frames before you start your window cleaning. Vacuum the runners of aluminum window frames and doors, then polish the frames with silicone car polish, which can also be used in channels to help windows slide smoothly. Or lightly oil the channels. Wash painted or vinyl frames with a sponge dipped in warm water and detergent. Rinse with warm, clean water, and towel dry, if necessary.
Then the panes. How often the outsides of windows need cleaning depends on where you live, but the insides usually need cleaning twice a year. Most new double-hung windows have tilting sashes, a handy feature that lets you pivot them inward for easier cleaning. With most, you simply flip a lever to tilt the sash in. But with some, you must pull the sash out of the track.
If you’re painting. Remove new paint spatters with a cloth dipped in water or glass cleaner (for water-based paint) or turpentine (for oil-based paint). Use a single-edged razor to scrape old paint, holding it at an angle to avoid scratching the glass.
Tips For Easy, Spotless Window Cleaning
When you think of large office buildings, car dealerships or a plethora of other businesses, the first thing you might visualize are the windows of the building. Windows can make a dramatic visual impact as well as let sunlight in and help a space feel bigger and more open. The benefits of this visual impact can be greatly diminished when your windows are streaked with dirt, grime, and dust. Maintaining the appearance of your business can be made much easier with these helpful window cleaning tips.
Use the Right Products
The best products for cleaning your businesses windows are those that can get the job done without leaving any residue or particles behind. First and foremost, invest in microfiber cloths and avoid using paper towels or tissues. Paper towels can pick up dirt but then, they spread it around to other areas you are cleaning. Instead, use a partially damp microfiber cloth to wipe away smudges and dirt without leaving streaks. These cloths can also be used when dry to wipe away dust.
An effective cleaning solution is also critical to getting your windows to shine. Some glass cleaners use ammonia or alcohol which can leave a film on your windows that attracts dirt and dust. Instead, you can use one part warm water combined with one part white vinegar to get a gentler and equally effective cleaning solution. If you make your own cleaner, be sure to use filtered water. Tap water typically contains hard minerals that can cause streaks. When tap water is put through a filtration or purification system, many of these minerals are pulled out of the water, making it a gentler, less streaky product.
Another useful tool is a professional grade squeegee. These consist of a handle, channel and rubber. The channel holds the rubber in place and can come in varying sizes. The rubber is the part of the squeegee that actually removes the dirt or cleaning solution and will need to be replaced over time. Squeegees are helpful because they are able to evenly clean without damaging the surface of your windows.
Clean at the Right Time of Day
It may not sound like a big deal, but when you clean is almost as important as what you use to clean. Direct sunlight can prevent you from seeing streaks and imperfections in your work. In addition, the heat from the sun can cause your solution to dry quickly leaving stubborn water spots and stains. If you wait until earlier or later in the day, you will be able to more accurately assess any troublespots and leave your windows in tip top shape.
SUPER HELPFUL CLEANING TIPS FOR YOUR HOUSE WINDOWS
Cleaning your house windows in Fort Worth can be very tiring and time-consuming. The warm and humid climate may cause your windows to build up slimy and fuzzy dust particles. Moreover, the amalgamation of debris and filth can make your house windows in Forney, rough and dirty.
Old and dirty windows can get stuck, unhinge, or might even fall off from their foundation. If cleaning is overlooked, the moisture on your house windows in Forney, TX, can build up mold growth and water stains. According to research, the inhalation of mold can be very dangerous for your health. The thick layers of mold and debris can spell big trouble for your house windows in Forney.
CHOOSE A CLOUDY DAY
The first thing that must be considered before cleaning your house windows in Forney, is picking the right day for window cleaning. Cold weather makes window cleaning really hard; in fact, it allows bacteria and debris to stick to your house windows in Forney. The chilly wind brings in dust and bacteria that stick to the moisture that is already on the window and formed by the cold temperature.
CLEAN THE CURTAINS
Before cleaning your house windows in Forney, you must remove the curtains and blinds first. Dirty curtains and blinds can make your windows dusty once again. Therefore, it’s important to wash your curtains before the window cleaning process.
AVOID USING HOME REMEDIES
Earlier, people used to clean their house windows by following different home remedies like using a mixture of vinegar and water. This mixture is known to be a good alternative to window cleaning agents.
Window Cleaning Tips for Streak-Free Glass
Are your windows overdue for some thorough spring cleaning? Has your full-length bathroom mirror gone a little blurry at the edges? Whether you have family and friends coming over or you’re just finally getting around to a long-neglected chore, mirror and window cleaning takes equal parts elbow grease and know-how to get the job done right.
Achieving streak-free glass doesn’t have to be difficult though. With the right tools and a few tips, you’ll be able to have sparkling windows and shining mirrors in no time.
Do Your Prep Work
Before you break out the glass cleaner, it’s important to do a little prep work first. Although not all glass needs a lot of prep, there are three areas that do: your kitchen, your bathroom, and your outside windows. In the kitchen, grease and dust can accumulate on windows and oven doors which can be a sticky mess.
Choose Effective Cleaners
There are a couple of options available to you for mirror and window cleaners. You have your traditional branded chemical cleaners that you can find at your average grocery store. These are useful because they are specifically designed and marketed as streak-free cleaners. If you tend to avoid chemical cleaners, know that there are many homemade cleaners that you can make with few ingredients.
Commercial Glass Cleaners
Suds are a guaranteed way to create streaked windows. That is why commercial glass cleaners are devoid of suds. Formulated specifically to clean glass, they are a good no-fuss option.